Social Studies 8

Welcome to Social Studies 8!
Welcome to Social Studies 8! This website is for you to keep up to date. Please regularly check this page for class updates, downloads and notes from class, and for all due dates, homework, and test dates. I look forward to a great year!

Class Updates:
Welcome to Social Studies 8! Below are the class updates and all information regarding due dates, homework, etc. Please email me if you have any questions or concerns.

Have a great summer vacation! Look back here this fall for updates on what courses I will be teaching!

LAST DAY FOR LATE WORK: FRIDAY JUNE 14TH
Last day of classes: Wednesday June 19th

Saturday June 8th- HAPPY WORLD OCEANS DAY!

Friday June 7th
Today we did a power-point on Ocean Pollution and what is happening in our Oceans for world Ocean Day tomorrow. We spent the class examining the impact of plastic on our oceans and marine life. No homework today if you are up to date. Block 4- colouring contest fo World Oceans Day :)

Wednesday JUNE 5th- Catch up class. Today we used the class to finish the following:
- Instagram Assignments
- Early European Arrivals Worksheet
- French Explorers and New France Worksheet
- The Royal Province of New France Worksheet

Monday June 3rd
Today we did a lesson on the Royal Province of New France. We looked at the Triangle Trade, the idea of Mercantilism, and early French arrival after Champlain set up the habitation in New France.

Thursday May 30th
Today we used an "Instagram Post" assignment to pick an explorer and recap their accomplishments. Due at the end of class today.

Tuesday May 28th
Today we finished looking at Cartier and Champlain and discussed who should be given the title "Founding Father of Canada". You were then to complete the T-Chart and worksheet looking at both French explorers and their accomplishments. Homework if not done in class today.

Friday May 24th
Today we reviewed last class with a group activity remembering what we learned about John Cabot and Cartier from last class. Then we went over the main points together (see photo of the front board) and I showed you 3 short clips on both explorers from Canadian Heritage Minutes and the History Channel. You were then to finish the Early European Arrival and the French Explorers worksheet. This was due at the end of class today. If not done, this is now homework for next class.

Wednesday May 22nd
Today we did a review of the course so far (see timeline photo) and then introduced the first explorers to land in the area that will be come Canada. We read through a copied section of the textbook on John Cabot and Jacques Cartier and you were to work on the textbook questions called Early European Arrival and the French Explorers worksheet.

Monday May 20th- Victoria Day
School Closed

Friday May 17th- PRO D DAY
No Classes

Thursday May 16th
Today we continued with your Graphic Novel assignments and the Escape to Freedom worksheet. This was a catch up day. Any late work is now homework.

Tuesday May 14th
Today you had time to finish the "Freedom Train" graphic novel assignment. If done, you were to do one last reading and comprehension activity "Escape to Freedom".

Friday May 10th
Slave Trade Visual Reflection Assignment due today...We continued with the graphic novel "Freedom Train". You had to read it and work on the assignment that goes with it.

Wednesday May 8th
Today we recapped the lesson from last class and you had the block to work on your Slave Trade Visual Reflection Assignments. I encouraged you to use your time wisely as this is due next class- FRIDAY.

Monday May 6th
Today I did a powerpoint on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and went though the horrors of how slaves were captured, transported, sold and worked often to death in the colonies of the New World. When done we watched a short summary clip "Life on a Slave Ship" and then I handed out notes and your assignment. It is the Visual reflection assignment. We started it in class today and you will have time again on Wednesday to work on it. It will be due on Friday.

Thursday May 2nd- GOAL DAY
All grade 8's missing work must see me at 12:30pm on Goal Day. I have a 3 hour AP Psychology review in the morning so 12:30 is assigned for Grade 8.

Wednesday May 1st- Grade 8 CORE COMPETENCIES CHAT
8:40-9:40am

Tuesday April 29th

Monday April 28th- Pro D DAY
No Classes

Thursday April 24th
Today I collected any late assignments then we did an introduction to our next section on Immigration and colonization of North America. We are starting to look at the first settlements north of the Spanish colonies in the Caribbean - the 13 Colonies of the British which will become the United States. We did an introduction today on what is immigration and why people immigrate today vs. back in the 1600's. We then explored the 13 original colonies with a handout and map before moving on to the Exploration and New World Questions. This was due at the end of the class today. If not done, it is homework for Tuesday April 29th.

Tuesday April 23rd
Welcome back after Easter Break! Today we finished the last 10 minutes of the Pirates of the Caribbean and then started looking at why people moved to the New World- intro to Immigration and what that looked like in the Northern parts like the 13 colonies and early Canada. Today we did a map activity in class and then you were given questions on Exploration & the New World to complete for the beginning of class next day. Homework if not done in class today.

Monday April 22nd- Easter Monday
School Closed

Friday April 19th- Good Friday
School Closed

Wednesday April 17th
Today we continued with Pirates of the Caribbean... No homework if up to date.

Monday April 15th
Today I collected any late work and reviewed the punishment at sea and pirates from last class. I then decided to show you the Pirates of the Caribbean movie "Curse of the Black Pearl" and asked you to look for real vs. Hollywood things in it so that we can look at it from a more accurate historical perspective when it is over.

Thursday April 11th
Today we continued with Exploration to the 'New World' and looked at all the various countries coming to the area and the need for naval strength to control and govern. I then asked you about stealing, pirates, and justice at sea. I did a ppoint on Justice at Sea and some of the Real Pirates of the Caribbean in class today. After the ppoint, you were asked to tell me which of the punishments at sea you think was the worst and why in a paragraph on the sheet provided. Due at the end of class today.

Tuesday April 9th
I am back teaching today...today we did a recap of what Mr. Fairey had been teaching and what we remembered about Exploration including Zheng He and the Spanish arriving in Aztec Mexico. I asked you to complete a Review Assignment in class today.

Friday April 5th
Today is Mr. Fairey's last class so all work he assigned will be due by end of block today.

Wednesday April 3rd
Today Mr. Fairey collected any character sheets from before and then gave you a few minutes to review for your quiz on last day's lesson. You then wrote the quiz (5 short general questions) and then were introduced to today's assignment. This will be the last assignment for Mr. Fairey (his last class is next day and I will be back teaching next week). You were given a choice to do a mini-project Poem/Rap Song OR a Newspaper article on the impact of Spanish Colonization on the Aztec people. You were given a planning sheet to start planning your ideas and then the template (good copy paper) to do your work on. You had the rest of class today and part of class next day. This will be due at the end of day on Friday.

Monday April 1st
Welcome Back! I hope you all had a great spring break. Mr. Fairey will be spending this week with us and then I am back teaching next week. Today he did a lesson on the Spanish and Aztecs again continuing with the cause and consequences of Spanish arrival on the Aztec culture. He said there would be a quiz today, but due to time it will be postponed until class on Wed. It will be a short 5 question quiz on the lesson from last class. Hint: the impact of the Spanish on the Aztec people. Please do not panic, this will be a general review quiz. We also had an SFU guest today observing Mr. Fairey.

SPRING BREAK
School Reopens Monday April 1st (Day 1)

Thursday March 14th
Mr. Fairey did a lesson again today continuing with the Spanish and the Aztec. Mr. Fairey assigned the Aztec and Spanish character cards over spring break... please have this done for the first class back if you can.

Tuesday March 12th
Today Mr. Fairey shifted back to the Spanish and started looking at the Spanish Conquistadors and the Aztec. Today you did a Gallery Walk looking at images and comparing the images of the Spanish to the Aztec. No homework today.

Friday March 8th
Mr. Fairey continued today with a lesson on Zheng He and his seven voyages.

Wednesday March 6th
Mr. Fairey continued with a lesson on Ming China and exploration.

Monday March 4th
For the next two weeks we will be having our SFU Student Teacher, Mr. Fairey, joining us. He will be starting today with a look at Ming China and the explorer Zheng He. He will then come back to the Spanish Conquistadors before the break...Welcome Mr. Fairey.

TERM 2 ENDS: Friday March 1st
ALL LATE WORK DUE BY 3pm on THIS DAY!

Tuesday February 26th
Today I collected any late work and reminded you that Term 2 ends this Friday March 1st so all work must be in by then. I gave you all Progress Reports last week with all missing work so you ALL know where you are at. After wrapping up late work, I introduced our Student Teacher, Mr. Fairy who will be working with us until spring break. He then did an intro powerpoint with you on who he is and what he will be teaching you for the next few classes. Homework: ANY AND ALL LATE TERM 2 WORK

Friday February 22nd- PRO D DAY
No Classes

Thursday February 21st
Today we did a written final assignment on Columbus: Hero or Villain. You were to complete the chart of Good vs. Bad points and complete in class a written paragraph on whether he was more a hero or a villain. When done, I asked you to read the section on the Conquistadors because Columbus opened up the "New World" to a bunch of Spanish Conquistadors.

Tuesday February 19th
Today we recapped Columbus and the powerpoint from last class, then I gave out slips to all students who are missing assignments for Term 2. I explained in detail that my cut off for Term 2 late work is Friday March 1st. We then did a Columbus Word Match review before becoming 'historical investigators' and watching Expedition Unknown's "Columbus" clips about theories on where his ship sunk, where he is buried, and what actually happened to his crew when they were left behind. No homework IF all work is up to date.

Monday February 18th- FAMILY DAY
School Closed

Thursday February 14th
Today we did a recap of the Unit so far including life at sea, the caravel ships, advanced technology in navigation, and the early Portuguese Explorers including Vasco Da Gama and Bartholmeu Diaz. We also talked about Prince Henry the Navigator and his contributions to early exploration. Today we recapped last day's Thinking Competency Assignment as well. Today we began to examine the role of Spanish explorers including Christopher Columbus.I showed you a ppoint and we went through notes on the Spanish Explorers today in class. Homework: Any late work

Tuesday February 12th
SNOW DAY! School closed!

Friday February 8th
Today we reviewed our lesson from last class on Henry the Navigator, Da Gama and Diaz. You were then given a Core Competency Thinking assignment where you were to rethink and question various topics about early life at sea. This was due at the end of class today.

Wednesday February 6th
Today I did a lesson and ppoint on the Portuguese explorers. You were given notes and we went through the textbook together. Your exit slip today was to write down 5 things you wonder about from the lesson today.

Sorry for the delayed update.... back in business!

Happy Holidays!
No homework over break if up to date with all Term 2 assignments.

Friday December 21st
Today I was back and we touched base about your Graphic Novel assignments (Master Leonardo Questions) that are now late. You had time to borrow the novel in class today if needed. The rest of us voted to watch BRAIN GAMES for the remainder of class as a treat before break. No homework over break IF all late work is done.

Wednesday December 19th
Today Mr. Harris was in for me again and today you had time to complete "Master Leonardo". When done, he had you get into groups and start to brainstorm using the template of How to Save Venice from sinking. You had the class to work on this and hand in your sheets at the end of the class.Work now late if not done.

Monday December 17th
Today I will be away and Mr. Harris will be in for me. You were asked to read the Graphic Novel "Master Leonardo" and answer the corresponding questions about your reading. You had the class to work on this today and you can finish it in class next day.

Thursday December 13th
Today I collected any late work then reviewed last class with you. You then had as much time as you needed to finish your Italian Family Worksheet and drawing assignment that we started in class last class. When done, you were to hand it in. I gave you the rest of class today to get caught up with ANY homework from any class and if you were completely up to date, you could continue reading Chapter 7 about the Renaissance Artists that we will be looking at next. A reminder that I will be away next class on Monday 17th (another Filming day for the school's Ace-it Documentary in the WWI trenches) so Mr. Harris will be in for me. See you guys the following class!

Tuesday December 11th
Today I collected any late work and then we did a lesson on Home Life and Families during the Renaissance. We read through pages 217-221 together as a class going over families, sizes, betrothals, dowries, weddings, and what life was like for the poor, middle class merchants, and the wealthy. I then gave you one more page of notes on Home Life and Clothing of the Renaissance and we went over the highlights of those as well. I then asked you to start working on THE ITALIAN FAMILY worksheet which included 8 questions and a final drawing activity. This is NOT homework. We will continue this and finish it in class on Thursday.

Friday December 7th
Today we continued with Venice & Florence and started with a brainstorm discussion of what we remembered from last class. I then showed you two 3 minute clips of Venice and Florence and asked you to write down how you would describe the cities- looks, buildings, art, etc. Then you had to read your textbook p. 214-217 and answer the worksheet comparing Florence & Venice. This was due at the end of class today. Homework if not done.

Wednesday December 5th
Today we reviewed what a city-state was from last class and today I introduced Florene & Venice to you. We went through pages of your textbook as I did a powerpoint introducing these two famous city-states. We looked at the Medici Family, the Doge, the main differences between them and then you had time to complete a "Noting What I've Learned" worksheet summarizing our lesson today. This was due at the end of class. No homework.

Monday December 3rd
Today I made a decision to start Term 2 and the Renaissance. We did a brainstorm about what came to mind when we heard the word Renaissance as a class, then I handed out the Intro to Ch 7-Renaissance worksheet about the importance of Geography and Italy in the start of the European Renaissance. This was due at the end of class today. No homework.

Thursday November 29th
Start of Term 2...We started today with a Powerpoint of images of Japan including Osaka and Matsumoto Castles, architecture, Nara and more from the Medieval Period. It also included pictures of a katana forge and the weapon the guy made. You then had the rest of class to complete your Feudal Comparison poster with your partner. No homework for Monday 3rd.

Tuesday November 27th (Flex Day)
Today is the last day of Term 1. I collected any late work and then we watched "Longsword vs. Katana" (see clip below) and predicted who would win in a battle- A Knight or Samurai. I then asked you to get into partners and get a poster paper. You were to compare and contrast Feudal Japan and Feudal Europe and show me everything you can remember about the two. This is NOT homework. We will finish it in class next day.

Friday November 23rd - Pro D Day
No Classes

Thursday November 22nd
I'm back! Today we had a chat and got back up to date then we went to the computer lab to continue with our Knights vs. Samurai research for next class. Today... any late work should be handed in and you need to print off your images for next class. Homework: LATE work. Term 1 ends next class.

Tuesday November 20th- GOAL DAY
Counts as a Day 1

Friday November 16th
Today you were asked to work with a partner and go to the computer lab to fill out your KNIGHTS vs. SAMURAI research sheets. We are going to be starting a partner project next class so you MUST have a partner today and I will explain more when I am back next class.

Wednesday November 14th
I am still away today, but you are to begin working on the Feudal Japan Society Worksheet (3-pages). You are to use your textbook and find all the answers. This is due next class.

Monday November 12th- Remembrance Day
School Closed

Friday November 9th
Today I was away (family stuff for a few classes) and your TOC collected any late Intro sheets from last class and then did a review with you before showing you the clip "The Way of the Samurai". You were to take notes on what was similar and what was different from the Samurai and the Medieval European Knights. You were to hand this in at the end of class for completion marks. Homework: Any late work.

Wednesday November 7th
Today I started Chapter 6- Feudal Japan and we were started by doing a comparison of the society & structure of it's people (see the photo). We then went through some key terms and how in the year 1100's Japan was in a Civil War with warring clans - the Taira & Minomoto Clans. We also saw how the Civil War officially marked the beginning of Feudal Japan with Minamoto Yoritomo coming to power as the first Shogun. I then gave you an intro handout "Feudal Japan: Intro" that you were hand in at the end of class today. If not done, it is homework and will be collected on Friday at the start of class.

Monday November 5th
Town, Trade & Guilds Worksheet due today if not done! Today I collected any late Town worksheets from last week then we did a full lesson on the Black Death and how it spread & impacted Europe and Feudalism. We went through notes in class, read them together, watched a video clip, then you had to answer one question with a partner about the Black Death by the end of the block. No homework if up to date.

Thursday November 1st - Parent Teacher Interview Day
Today we worked on the Town, Trade & Guilds assignment in class. It was due at the end of class today so if you are not done, it is homework for the weekend and due on Monday Nov. 5th.

Tuesday October 30th
Today we did a lesson on the Medieval Towns and looked at how they formed, how they were designed (wooden shops, small streets, garbage, no sewers, etc). We read through the notes handout I gave out and went through the textbook pages you needed to read. I then handed out the Town, Trade, & Guilds worksheet to start working on in class today. You had the rest of class to read the pages and start answering the questions. This is NOT homework. We will finish it in class next day and I will collect it at the end of class on Thursday. Homework: Any late work!

Friday October 26th
Today I handed back your Feudalism Quiz from last class and we went over any questions you may have had about it. Good job you guys!! We then did a recap of Term 1 so far and I started to ask you what the differences between a Feudal Manor and a Town have. We brainstormed and discussed Urban vs. Rural and then I did a lecture on how times changed from 1066 to the 1300's and how some serfs and freeholders began moving into towns that started as seasonal fairs. We also looked quickly at the Crusades and how knights were now coming home from war seeing new products, new trade ideas, and opportunities to make more money. No homework today.

Wednesday October 24th- QUIZ DAY
Quiz on Feudalism & the Medieval Times in Europe. Today we spent a few minutes reviewing for your Quiz then you had time to write it. When done, I asked you to start thinking about your mark, work habits, core competencies, and goals so far for Socials 8. We will be working on our Interim Report Cards next. No homework today.

Monday October 22nd
Review class... Today we went over everything we have done so far since September (see photo of highlight notes) and then we went through each section. I then asked you to write down 10 questions that you think would be good quiz questions based on what we reviewed. We then finished the last 10 minutes of "A Knight's Tale" (sorry Block 3... I was 3 minutes short so we will finish that later. QUIZ NEXT DAY /10 Marks. Please see the photo of what to review. We will also be doing our Interim Report cards in class next day after the quiz as well.

Friday October 19th- PRO D DAY
No Classes.

Wednesday October 17th
Today I handed back ALL work from the term so far and then went over what you were missing. I called each of you up and told you what you needed to complete. We then finished the dvd "A Knight's Tale" (well we have about 10 minutes left to finish next class). I also announced that we will be having a quiz next WEDNESDAY 24th and will do a big review in class on Monday.
QUIZ ANNOUNCEMENT: Next Wed. October 24th

Monday October 15th
Today I was at one more Heritage Society & Film meeting so Mr Fung was back in for me. You were to hand in your Coat of Arms & Journal (Due at the beginning of class today) and then he did a quick review of knights with you. For the rest of class, he showed you the dvd A Knight`s Tale. We will finish it next class then discuss the facts vs. falsehoods that Hollywood gets wrong when we learn about history. Homework: ANY LATE WORK ASAP

Thursday October 11th
Today we had a guest... A Knight came to visit and dubbed some students in a mock ceremony for review. You also got to hold and try on a knight helmet and we did some review of what it was like to be a knight back then. I then assigned the Coat of Arms & Heraldry assignment that included your own family Coat of Arms and a Journal explaining the steps of becoming a knight. You then had the rest of class to start working on this. This will be due next class at the beginning of class if not done in class today.

Tuesday October 9th
Today we reviewed the Laws of the Middle Ages and you finished your Laws in the Middle Ages Worksheet from last class. I then started a lesson on Knights. I did a power point with you going through the stages of becoming a knight (see the ppoint slides under the downloads). We went through their stages (PAGE, SQUIRE, KNIGHT) and the dubbing ceremony along with the Oath of Allegiance and Chivalry. No homework today.

Monday October 8th- Thanksgiving Holiday
School Closed

Thursday October 4th
Today I was away again (same reason- sorry folks) and Mr. Fung was in for me. He did a lesson on Laws of the Middle Ages with you and you had an assignment to complete upon reading the textbook section. This is not homework... we will continue in class next day when I am back.

Tuesday October 2nd
Today we did a review of the Middle Ages so far and I collected any late Church Architecture assignment. We then went through the different types of churches (Romanesque & Gothic) and the various features of each including the flying buttresses. I then had you complete an in- class sheet on the two types and I went through any questions you had. Today was more of a catch up and review day.

Friday September 28th
Today I was away at the Heritage Society and Film project and you had a TOC. You read through the textbook with the class on the Church & Church Architecture and were given a worksheet to complete in class. This is homework if not done in class today. I will be back on Monday if you have any questions.

Wednesday September 26th
Today I collected your "People on the Manor" worksheets that were homework if you did not finish them last class. If you forgot, you need to get this done for class on Friday. Better late than never... Then we did a lesson on Belief & Devotion in the Middle Ages and went over the textbook pages on the role of the Church. We discussed how the average serf had no education and they did not question the rules of the manor or ideas of the Church. We also discussed why serfs would devote their lives to God and the balance between good and evil, heaven and hell. I then asked you to start working on the "Belief & Devotion Intro Questions" worksheet that I handed out. We read the textbook pages together as a class and then you had to re-read it if you were unsure of the answers on the worksheet. This is NOT homework. We will have time to complete it in class on Friday. I also let you know that I will not be here next class because I am taking students to a community partner meeting for the afternoon.

Monday September 25th
Today I collected any late Bayeux Tapestry assignments and then did a review of "mind your manors" about manor life in the feudal age. I then read pages 50-52 with you going over life on a manor for an Ordinary Person and then pages 52-54 looking at life on a manor for the Lord & Lady of the Manor. I then gave you the "People on the Manor" worksheet and asked you to complete it by the end of class today. If not done, it is homework and will be due at the beginning of next class on Wednesday.

Friday September 21st- PRO D DAY
School Closed.

Wednesday September 19th
Today we started with a review of Manor Life. I gave you a "Picture Note Taking" review worksheet where you had to explain what life was like on a manor in your own words and draw an image that represented the manor. We started with this activity then I did a lesson on the Feudal Pyramid and we discussed class structure from the King down to the Serfs. We went through the Feudal Contract introduced by William the Conqueror and the primary source oath that all knights/lords would take. No homework today. Enjoy your Pro D Day on Friday!

Monday September 17th
Today we reviewed Feudalism and the Bayeux Tapestry and you were given the class to complete the Bayeux Tapestry worksheet. This was due at the end of class today. When you finished, I gave you a handout called "Mind Your Manors". About half way through class most people had finished so we read through p.44-46 about life on a Medieval Manor. We did some matching and reading about it. No homework if you finished your Bayeux Tapestry questions.

Thursday September 13th (Blk 3 &4)
Today we went over the Bayeux Tapestry and the Battle of Hastings together as a class (see my notes from the whiteboard we did for review). I read the story to the class and we went through it step by step together. Block 3 got into groups and did a comic style summary and Block 4 had more of a class discussion to summarize it. Then you were all given the Bayeux Tapestry worksheet (/18 marks) to start working on in class. This is 4 questions that will be collected at the end of class on Monday 17th. It is not homework as I will give you time on Monday to finish. We ended with a very short but memorable video "William the Conqueror- 1066"- Enjoy! :)

Tuesday September 11th (Blk 3 & 4)
Today I introduced the Medieval Era and we went through notes on Medieval Life, Japan & Europe, and then got into notes on the introduction of Feudalism in Europe. We began with Chapter 2 of your textbook and the Battle of Hastings in 1066 with William of Normandy and Harold of England. We went through the notes as a class then I asked you to read the Bayeux Tapestry in class for the remainder of the block. No homework today.

Friday September 7th (Blk 3 & 4)
Today we recapped your first week of high school then did a "World Geography Challenge" package in class to see what you guys could remember and find out. I also gave out your Pathways to Civilizations textbooks today but there is no homework. Enjoy your weekend!

Wednesday September 5th (Blks 3 & 4)
Welcome to class! Today we went over the course outline, expectations, and what the course is all about. We then did a mini-history review of the ancient civilisations up to the Fall of Rome and then you filled out a get-to-know-you form for me. No homework today!

Tuesday September 4th
School Starts

Downloads & Handouts:

socials_8_course_outline.pdf
File Size:	133 kb
File Type:	pdf